Team Preview: Moore (6A)
Despite an 8-16 finish in 2020, Moore coach Gregg Hardin believes the Lions have a shot at a winning and season. “I think this will probably be our year, we’ll finally get over that hump,” Hardin said. “I think this…
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Continue ReadingDespite an 8-16 finish in 2020, Moore coach Gregg Hardin believes the Lions have a shot at a winning and season.
“I think this will probably be our year, we’ll finally get over that hump,” Hardin said. “I think this year we’ll be able to play more experienced kids.”
That experience will start with a pair of seniors and the Lions’ lone returning starters: 6-foot-3-inch forward Dylan McDougal and 6-foot-even guard Justin Martin.
“Dylan attacks the goal well, he penetrates well, he can shoot the 3-ball a little bit, and he’s a good rebounder,” Hardin said. “And he provides a whole lot of leadership for us.”
Martin, Hardin said, has been the Lions’ best player during the preseason.
“This year, he’s been really playing well,” Hardin said. “He can really light-it-up and is really solid on defense, as well.”
Marcus Dockins, a junior who plays receiver for the Lions’ football team, also returns for the Lions. He started some games as a sophomore and led Moore in rebounds.
“[Dockins] is a good slasher, rebounder of course and a pretty good defender, as well,” Hardin said. “We’ll be looking for him to provide a lot of spark for us as a starter this year.”
Fellow junior Lonato Henderson, a 6-foot-4 two-sport athlete, also returns for Moore as an expected starter.
“[Henderson] attacks the rim for us a little bit,” Hardin said, “so we’re gonna be expecting a lot from him.”
Sophomore Malichi Lee, who led the Lions in scoring in six contests as a freshman, will be an important piece for Hardin, also.
“[Lee] is going to be a really good ball-player,” Hardin said. “he’s a really strong, real physical kid, kind of knows the game. . . can score the basketball and run the floor, as well.”
Two players will be splitting time at the one, Hardin said: senior Greg Lewis and junior Rejond Hayes.
“[Lewis] started a couple games last year,” Hardin said, “pretty heady kid, really gets after you on the defensive end.”
Hayes, also an aggressive defender, has valuable ball-handling skills and will help Lewis provide the talent the Lions need to compete in 6A, Hardin said.
“I think being able to compete at the level that you need to be at 6A,” Hardin said, “I think these kids can finally realize this is what we need to do to get it done.”
Hardin reiterated he believes 2021 can be Moore’s best opportunity to “make some noise in 6A.”
“We had a hit-and-miss last year because of experience,” Hardin said. “I think the maturity level of the kids now and also the experiences we had to go through last year. . . will make a big difference this year.
“We’ve been knocking on that door,” Hardin said.